“I was kind of surprised because when they came they offered me in the spring, but I had never spoken to them before. I already knew somebody graduated from here [Beaulieu] and is on the team and who was on the team before [Hawkes] so I had a connection”

The Fizz asked Coach Harriot about Taylor’s Syracuse offer. In classic University School/Syracuse fashion, something was lost in translation.

“I wasn’t aware that they had offered him. I don’t know how much interaction they’ve had with each other. The consistent teams that have showed DJ the potential right now have been Boston College, UCF (Central Florida), and Illinois.”

Even though Harriot never got the 411, he was thrilled to hear Dionte got an offer from SU. Taylor, even though the Orange has not really been in contact, is keeping his options open.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself right to make a decision. I don’t think I am ready right now. I’m still evaluating my choices.”

Taylor was aware of his head coach’s brief stint as a Syracuse coach:

“Our coach went up there for a couple of months and came back and told me good things about the program, so it was a school I was definitely interested in as soon as they offered me.”

University is undefeated at 7-0 so far this season, with Taylor providing that huge receiving threat. The Fizz asked Taylor about his game and what he does best on the gridiron:

“I’m very versatile. I can play in the slot, which I do at my school. I can play outside as I did last year. They [coaches] like my control and tempo. I have pretty sharp hands and pretty good awareness of the game.”

Sounds like a great fit for the no-huddle Syracuse offense. With seniors Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales departing, doors are opening for new receivers to join the Orange. Taylor has been posting some huge numbers for his senior stint. The 6’0’’ foot 167 lb. speedster has caught 25 passes on the season, for over 360 yards and 6 TDs.

Taylor says the interest level has dwindled from the Orange since this past spring. He plans to try and take an official visit to campus, and says everything could change if Syracuse gets back in touch:

“I will, but the coaches haven’t contacted me at all since the spring. I don’t know what their interest level is, but it’s a school I would be interested in and going up to see. I know it’s a program that I could see myself excelling in. I like how they get the ball around. They could do some big things in the near future.”

Although the history between this Florida high school and Syracuse University hasn’t been the smoothest relationship, there’s reasons to believe it could improve if Taylor comes up north.

7 Comments on this Post

chris

This business of “not hearing from Syracuse since an offer was given seems to be very old news when it comes to recruiting in football. Someone in that area is job failing at high rate on prospects. Unless there are other circumstances that cause the school to detach itself from the player like academics or legal issues ,it seems to be ongoing with no explanation coming.

OrangeCrush27

Russell MacEachern

Schools give verbal offers left and right early in the process but scrutinize from the background quietly before offering “signable offers” to the few who pass muster!!academics,character,health and actual need at the position along with #s of schollys available!How bad do we need him if we ain’t on him??HCDM ain’t stupid!